The Red Cross is looking for volunteers to assist in shelters throughout the region. Shifts are 12-hours and volunteers work over multiple days. Training will be afforded to those without experience. Sign up by filling out an online application http://www.nyredcross.org/?nd=intake&logout=1&keeppage=1&ep=10650. At this time, individual donations or collections are not accepted. Per the Red Cross: "The cost to sort, package and distribute these types of donations to disaster victims is usually greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally, and it is logistically impossible to distribute a wide variety of individual items in a meaningful and equitable way." Instead, make a financial gift via http://www.redcross.org, 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Hey, if anyone wants to help the animals affected by the Hurricane/Superstorm, my friend Michelle runs a very small, local shore-based rescue 501(c)(3). Michelle got married before the storm, and instead of going on her honeymoon has spent every day driving around helping people who lost their homes care for their animals as well as helping homeless animals and getting care packages out to rescuers so they have enough to maintain their colonies.